Heartbroken? Time won't heal

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, or "broken heart syndrome," could be caused by times of acute emotional stress such as the death of a loved one, a divorce or gut-wrenching break-up, the Independent reported.

Sufferers were reported to recover completely "within days or weeks," however researchers at University of Aberdeen found that it could take longer than four months and with lasting effects.

Researchers found that patients are not able to take part in strenuous activity and unable to return to work due to swelling and instability of the heart, which causes difficulties in breathing and pumping blood.

The syndrome, also called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, mainly affects women and was first diagnosed in Japan in 1990.

The overwhelming grief from the death of a loved one could also double the risk of actual heart attacks. Scientists at St George's, University of London, found that 16 per 10,000 patients over 60 suffered a heart attack or stroke within 30 days of a partner's death.